Modi's 'AK' comment an insult to armed forces: Antony

Three days after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi called him a Pakistan agent, Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday came down heavily on BJP's prime ministerial candidate saying such utterances would only help enemies and demoralize armed forces of the country.

Addressing mediapersons at Thiruvananthapuram, he said a true patriot could not make such an irresponsible statement that would only help enemy countries and insult armed forces. "It is sad leaders are making statements to attract cheap publicity. Nobody expected such a statement from a leader who declared himself a PM candidate," he said.

"He's a leader travelling length and breadth of the country to become a PM. Is he equipped to become a PM? I don't think so," Antony chided Modi.

This is the first time Antony is reacting since Modi made a controversial statement in Jammu saying three AKs- A K Antony , AK 47 and AK 49 (Arvind Kejriwal)- had emerged Pakistan commanders on the Indian soil.

He said Modi's rise would endanger the very fabric of the nation and put the unity in diversity plank of the country at stake. He said Modi wave was creation of Sangh Parivar supported by some corporate houses.

"Gujarat is not India. The much-hyped Gujarat model is a failed one and people have realized this well," he said, adding Modi wave would only help splitting the country. "I foresee a UPA-3 at the centre. After election many parties will come to the Congress fold to avert BJP coming to power at the centre," Antony said.

Meanwhile senior BJP leader Venkaih Naidu in Kochi said that he did not subscribe to Modi's remark that Antony was a Pakistan agent. However, he said Antony was a big failure and his procrastination helped neighbouring countries to get an upper hand over India.